Doorbell system, apparatus, and method

ABSTRACT

Provided in various example embodiments is a system, apparatus, and method specially adapted to replace conventional doorbell systems in environments having access to wireless networks connected to the Internet, which provides wireless communication between the doorbell button unit and mobile devices without requiring additional or different power sources or wiring, aside from preexisting, conventional doorbell wiring.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application timely claims priority to and incorporates herein byreference co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.61/698,997 to Garry L. Davis, filed Sep. 10, 2012 and entitled DoorbellSystem.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to home automation andtelecommunications, and more particularly, to a system, apparatus, andmethod for providing wireless communication between a doorbell and amobile device.

BACKGROUND

Various systems have been proposed for providing wireless communicationbetween a doorbell and a mobile device. For example, the following U.S.patents and published patent applications describe other systems and areall incorporated herein by reference as if fully reproduced herein: U.S.Pat. No. 6,753,774 B2 issued Jun. 22, 2004 to Pan et al.; U.S. Pat. No.7,015,943 B2 issued Mar. 21, 2006 to Chiang; U.S. Pat. No. 7,062,291 B2issued Jun. 13, 2006 to Ryley, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,085,361 B2 issuedAug. 1, 2006 to Thomas; U.S. Pat. No. 7,109,860 B2 issued Sep. 19, 2006to Wang; U.S. Pat. No. 7,561,041 B2 issued Jul. 14, 2009 to Nguyen, etal.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,634,795 B2 issued Dec. 15, 2009 to Dureau; U.S.Pat. No. 7,683,924 B2 issued Mar. 23, 2010 to Oh, et al.; U.S. Pat. No.7,746,223 B2 issued Jun. 29, 2010 to Howarter, et al.; U.S. Pat. No.8,179,439 B2 issued May 15, 2012 to Resch, et al.; US 2004/0086093 A1 toSchranz published May 6, 2004; US 2008/0111684 A1 to Zinser publishedMay 15, 2008; US 2008/0143517 A1 to Goffin published Jun. 19, 2008; andUS 2010/0191608 A1 to Mikkelsen published Jul. 29, 2010. Inclusion of areference in this list is not an admission that it qualifies as priorart.

While other systems providing wireless communication between a doorbelland a mobile device have been proposed, none have gained widespreadadoption by the public, because they tend to be complicated andexpensive, requiring special communication equipment, power source(s),and re-wiring of hidden areas, and are thus difficult to retrofit intoan existing environment such as a residence with conventional doorbellwiring. A need exists for a simple, relatively inexpensive system thatcan provide all the functionality and features described in the abovereferences, but which can be easily and quickly installed into typicalenvironments such as existing structures without special skills ortools. The present invention fulfills these as well as other needs.

SUMMARY

The present invention elegantly addresses all the above challenges andprovides numerous additional benefits. In various example embodimentsthe solution discovered by the present inventor may comprise providingan apparatus, system, and method specially adapted to replaceconventional doorbell systems in environments having access to wirelessnetworks connected to the Internet, which provides wirelesscommunication between the doorbell button unit and mobile deviceswithout requiring additional or different power sources or wiring, asidefrom preexisting, conventional doorbell wiring.

Provided in certain example embodiments is a doorbell system,comprising: a doorbell button unit; and a doorbell chime unit; whereinthe doorbell chime unit comprises a wireless receiver adapted to triggera notification when the wireless receiver receives a signal from thedoorbell chime unit indicating that the doorbell button unit has beenactivated, the doorbell chime unit further adapted to provide lowvoltage power to the doorbell button unit suitable for transmissionthrough low voltage wiring, the chime unit further adapted to notdisrupt the flow of electricity to the doorbell button unit during use;and wherein the doorbell button unit comprises a wireless transmitteradapted to send a signal to the wireless receiver of the doorbell chimeunit when the doorbell button unit is activated, the doorbell buttonunit further adapted to communicate wirelessly with a network connectedto the Internet when the doorbell button unit is activated, the doorbellbutton unit further adapted to be powered by the low voltage powerprovided by the doorbell chime unit, the doorbell button unit furtheradapted to not disrupt the flow of electricity to the wirelesstransmitter when the doorbell button unit is activated.

Example doorbell systems may be further adapted to cause at least one ofan SMS, MMS, email message, or telephone call to be sent through acellular telephone network to a wireless mobile device when the doorbellbutton unit is activated. The SMS, MMS, email message, or telephone callmay comprise at least one of audio, video, text, or image content causedto be provided by the doorbell button unit. The SMS, MMS, or emailmessage may comprises a link to a live streaming communication portalbetween the doorbell button unit and the wireless mobile device. Thelive streaming communication portal may be adapted to transmit to thewireless mobile device at least one of audio, video, text, or imagesoriginating from the doorbell button unit. The live streamingcommunication portal may be adapted to transmit to the doorbell buttonunit at least one of audio, video, text, or images originating from thewireless mobile device. The doorbell button unit may be further adaptedto cause an electronic communication to be sent through the Internet toan electronic device in communication with the Internet when thedoorbell button unit is activated. The electronic communication maycomprise at least one of audio, video, text, or image content caused tobe provided by the doorbell button unit. The electronic communicationmay comprise a link to a live streaming communication portal between thedoorbell button unit and the electronic device in communication with theInternet, as discussed with regard to wireless mobile devices. Thedoorbell button unit may be adapted to be activated by sensing at leastone of the following: force applied to a button connected with thedoorbell button unit; movement of an object in the proximity of thedoorbell button unit; the presence of something near the doorbell buttonunit; sound; biometric information; the passage of a predeterminedamount of time; an activation signal sent wirelessly from a remote userto the doorbell button unit. The doorbell system may further comprise aninfrared lighting system adapted for use in low-light conditions. Thedoorbell system may further comprise a camera having at least one ofpan, tilt, or zoom functionality that is wirelessly controllable throughthe Internet by a remotely located user.

Also provided in various embodiments is a method comprising the stepsof: providing an environment with wireless access to a network connectedto the Internet; providing a structure in that environment having aconventional wired doorbell system, comprising low voltage wiringrunning from an existing doorbell chime unit to an existing doorbellbutton unit; replacing the existing doorbell chime unit with areplacement doorbell chime unit that chimes (the term “chime” when usedherein means any type of doorbell sound) when it receives apredetermined wireless signal from a replacement doorbell button unithaving a wireless transmitter, the replacement doorbell chime unitadapted to not disrupt the flow of electricity to the replacementdoorbell button unit during use; and replacing the existing doorbellbutton unit with a replacement doorbell button unit by attaching thereplacement doorbell button unit to the low voltage wires that poweredthe existing doorbell button unit, wherein the replacement doorbellbutton unit comprises a wireless transmitter that transmits thepredetermined wireless signal to the replacement doorbell chime unitwhen the replacement doorbell button unit is activated, the replacementdoorbell button unit adapted to not disrupt the flow of electricity tothe wireless transmitter when the replacement doorbell button unit isactivated, and the replacement doorbell button unit further adapted tocommunicate wirelessly with the network connected to the Internet whenthe replacement doorbell button unit is activated. The method mayfurther comprise the steps of activating the replacement doorbell buttonunit, and receiving through the Internet a communication from thereplacement doorbell button unit indicating that it has been activated.

Another example method may comprise the steps of: providing anenvironment with wireless access to a network connected to the Internet;providing a structure in that environment having conventional doorbellwiring, comprising low voltage wires running from a doorbell chime unitto a doorbell button unit; wherein the doorbell chime unit is adapted tochime when it receives a predetermined wireless signal from the doorbellbutton unit, which has a wireless transmitter, the doorbell chime unitadapted to not disrupt the flow of electricity to the doorbell buttonunit; wherein the doorbell button unit is attached to and powered by thelow voltage wires and comprises a wireless transmitter that transmitsthe predetermined wireless signal to the doorbell chime unit when thedoorbell button unit is activated, the doorbell button unit adapted tonot disrupt the flow of electricity to the wireless transmitter when thedoorbell button unit is activated, and the doorbell button unit furtheradapted to communicate wirelessly with the network connected to theInternet when the doorbell button unit is activated; activating thedoorbell button unit; and causing the doorbell button unit tocommunicate wirelessly with the network connected to the Internet. Thismethod may further comprise the step of: causing the doorbell buttonunit to communicate wirelessly with an end user located remotely fromthe doorbell button unit by causing the doorbell button unit to do atleast one of the following: send an SMS message, MMS message, email,telephone call, or other electronic message to a wireless mobile device.The method may also comprise the step of: causing the doorbell buttonunit to communicate wirelessly with an end user located remotely fromthe doorbell button unit by establishing a live communication channelthrough the Internet between a first person located at the doorbellbutton unit and the remotely located end user.

Many other example system features and method steps are shown anddescribed in the accompanying written description and figures.Additional aspects, alternatives and variations as would be apparent topersons of skill in the art are also disclosed herein and arespecifically contemplated as included as part of the invention. Theinvention is set forth only in the claims as allowed by the patentoffice in this or related applications, and the descriptions herein ofcertain examples are not in any way to limit, define or otherwiseestablish the scope of legal protection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures illustrate certain aspects of exampleembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment for implementation of exampleembodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates example components and information flows in exampleembodiments.

FIG. 3A is a conceptual diagram illustrating the functionality oftypical circuits used in conventional doorbell systems.

FIG. 3B is a conceptual diagram illustrating the functionality ofcircuits used in example embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an example doorbell button unit, illustratingexample aspects thereof.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example circuit used in example embodiments ofdoorbell button units.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example circuit used in example embodiments ofdoorbell chime units.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating example steps in an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating example steps in an exampleembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Reference is made herein to some specific examples of the presentinvention, including any best modes contemplated by the inventor forcarrying out the invention. Some aspects of these example embodimentsare illustrated in the accompanying figures. While the invention isdescribed in conjunction with these specific embodiments, it will beunderstood that it is not intended to limit the invention to thedescribed or illustrated embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended tocover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be includedwithin the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appendedclaims. Example embodiments of the invention will now be described.

Example Systems

With reference to FIG. 1, provided in certain example embodiments is adoorbell system 100 for use in an environment having access to awireless network 50, 60, connected to the Internet 70. The system 100may be activated when a visitor or other first person 10 approaches ahome, building, or other structure 20, and activates the doorbell buttonunit 30 (an example of which is shown in more detail in FIG. 4). Thedoorbell button unit 30 may be activated by pushing a doorbell button,or by triggering a motion sensor, a proximity sensor, a heat sensor, asound sensor or voice recognition means, a biometric scanner, anycombination of the above, or any other suitable electronic triggers (allpossible triggers collectively represented as doorbell button 34).

Activating the doorbell button 34 typically does at least two things.First, doorbell structure 30 sends a wireless signal to the doorbellchime 40, causing it to chime or make any other sound or perceptiblenotification. The term doorbell chime 40 is understood herein toencompass any type of notification means, such as a bell, buzzer, chime,flashing lights, or any other suitable electronic response to thepushing of a doorbell button. Second, doorbell structure 30 causes awireless communication to be transmitted to mobile devices 90 and/orremotely located computing devices 75, where it can be received by asystem user or other second person 95. The doorbell structure 30 mayaccomplish this by transmitting a wireless signal to a wireless router50 that is connected to the Internet with a modem or other device 60providing a gateway to the Internet 70, such an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP) with a Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) gateway. Byestablishing this connection with the Internet 70, the doorbellstructure 30 may cause an email or other electronic communication to besent to another device connected to the Internet, such as a remotelylocated computer 75 or any other IP enabled device. Also by establishingthis connection with the Internet 70, the doorbell structure 30 mayestablish communication with a wireless telephone network 80, and send amessage to a mobile phone or similar device 90, such as an SMS message(Short Message (or Messaging) Service, a system that enables cellularphone users to send and receive text messages), or an MMS message(Multimedia Messaging Service, a system that enables cellular phones tosend and receive pictures and sound clips as well as text messages).

Example communication paths 200 are illustrated in FIG. 2. In variousexample embodiments one-way or two-way communications can be establishedbetween mobile devices 90 and/or remotely located computing devices 75and doorbell structure 30, allowing first and second persons 10, 90 tocommunicate in real time while located remotely from each other, orallowing the user or second person 90 to observe or monitor the visitoror first person 10, either in real time or later. For instance, uponnotification to the mobile phone 90, PC, Tablet, or other IP enableddevice 75, a live audio and/or video connection can be established, forinstance by the user 95 clicking on a link in the message that opens abrowser at an IP address that is streaming the audio and/or video orotherwise providing a one-way or two-way communication channel.Alternatively, a recorded stream may be provided, which may compriseaudio, video and/or still images. In addition to two-way communications,the system 100 may provide other functionality for the remote user 95,such as the ability to control any other devices that are connected tothe Internet, such as lights, televisions, stereos, or the like at thelocation 20. For example, the remote user 95 may be able to controloptional pan, tilt, and zoom (PTZ) features of a camera 36 associatedwith the doorbell structure 30. The doorbell button unit 30 may receiveits power from the doorbell chime unit 40 via wiring 35, which maycomprise conventional doorbell button wiring 314, 316 as discussedfurther below with respect to FIGS. 3A and 3B.

Features that may be provided with the hardware and software of thesystem 100 may include, but are not limited to, any or all of thefollowing: activating the doorbell button 34 triggers doorbell chime 40and automatically sending an SMS/MMS/email message to user 95; allowinguser 95 to establish two-way audio between doorbell button unit 30 andmobile phone 90 or IP-enabled device 75; allowing user 95 to establish alive video connection with the doorbell camera 36; provide a screen (notshown) on doorbell button unit 30 to optionally display video of theremotely located user 95 (i.e., two-way video communication); thedoorbell button unit 30 having low power consumption so that it canoperate safely with conventional 18 AWG doorbell button wiring; and theradio frequency (RF) communications between the doorbell button unit 30and the doorbell chime unit 40 having at least a 50 ft. operating range.Additionally, the system 100 may be adapted to support multiple doorbellbutton units 30 at a single location 20. For example, the doorbell chimeunit 40 may be adapted to play a unique tone or melody for each doorbellbutton unit 30, and the text portions of the SMS, MMS, and emailmessages sent by each doorbell button unit 30 can be uniquely userdefined (e.g., “Front Door” for a doorbell button unit 30 installed atthe front door and “Back Door” for a doorbell button unit 30 installedat the back door). Where motion detection or other means are used toactivate the doorbell button 34, sensitivity adjustment means may beprovided in the system 100, including adjustments made remotely by auser 95 through the Internet 70. The doorbell button units 30 may detectambient lighting levels and activate one or more infrared (IR) lightemitting diodes (LEDs) 37 during low light conditions, where the camera36 is adapted to detect reflected IR light, for instance with an IRcut-off (IR CUT) filter. The user 95 may have the ability topredetermine the lengths of video clips or number of frames to be sentwith MMS/email messages. Conventional software is provided to configurethe module for the camera 36 to communicate with the wireless router 50,for instance by being compliant with IEEE 802.11 b/g. The doorbellbutton unit 30 is preferably adapted to be weather resistant or weatherproof. In various example embodiments the doorbell button unit 30 may beprovided with the ability to record video and/or audio. In otherembodiments, video and/or audio may be recorded on another networkeddevice, or on the Internet 70. The user 95 may be provided with theability to remotely schedule times of day and days of week when featuresof the system will be activated, such as video and/or audio recording.The remotely-located user 95 may be provided with the ability to recordvideo and/or audio on-demand. The system 100 is preferably adapted tosupport multiple network protocols such as TCP/IP, HTTP, UDP, SMTP,UPNP, DDNS, DHCP, FTP, as well as standard security protocols, includingWEP, WPA, and WPA2 encryption.

Example Apparatus

FIG. 4 depicts an example doorbell button unit 30, comprising a housing32, a doorbell button 34 (which can comprise any suitable triggersmeans, such as a push-button, a motion sensor, a proximity sensor, aheat sensor, a sound sensor or voice recognition means, a biometricscanner, any combination of the above, or any other suitable electronictriggers), a camera 36 (which may include PTZ capability), an IRlighting system 37 for use in low-light conditions, a speaker 38, and amicrophone 39. Various of these features may or may not be present inany particular embodiment, and other embodiments may have other ordifferent features, such as a screen (not shown) for use with two-wayvideo communications. FIG. 5 illustrates an example circuit used as partof an example embodiment of doorbell button unit 30. FIG. 3B alsodiscloses, in general terms, circuitry that may be used to implementdoorbell button unit 30 using existing conventional doorbell wiring 314,316.

In one example embodiment, camera 36 comprises a 38×38 mm Megapixel IPWiFi Wireless Camera Board Module For IP, from Gold in Guangdong, China,model number GQ-IPC10-100 HZ75B, which comprises an IP WiFi Moduleintegrated with a CMOS Camera Sensor, operates on 12V DC and draws 6 Wof power, and is capable of providing the wireless video functionalitydescribed herein.

Regarding door chime unit 40, FIG. 6 illustrates an example circuit usedas part of an example embodiment of doorbell chime unit 40. An examplesound chip that may be used in connection therewith is a UM66 IC.Additionally, FIG. 3B discloses, in general terms, circuitry that may beused to implement doorbell chime unit 40 using existing conventionaldoorbell wiring 304, 306, and 314, 316.

The rest of the hardware in system 100, including wireless router 50,modem or other gateway to the Internet 60, the Internet 70, wirelessphone networks 80, wireless phones 90 and other Internet-connectedcomputing devices 75, may all be conventional systems already owned,installed, and used by a large portion of the public. Thus, for manyinstallations of the present system the only thing that is required is akit comprising a doorbell button unit 30 and a doorbell chime unit 40,along with any necessary software. And as described below, in certainembodiments such a kit may be retrofitted directly in place of existing,conventional doorbell buttons and chimes, without providing any newwiring or power sources.

Conventional Doorbell Wiring

A conventional doorbell is a device that emits a buzzing, ringing,chiming, or other sound to alert occupants of a structure to thepresence of a visitor. Doorbells, also known as door chimes, come in twobasic types, wired and battery-powered. Wired doorbell systems haveexisted for over a century and are by far the most common type ofdoorbell found in residences, commercial buildings and other structures,because they last for decades with no batteries to replace. Theseconventional doorbell systems are typically wired into the electricalsystem, ceiling, and interior and exterior walls of a building when itis originally constructed.

In most wired systems, the doorbell makes a sound via a switch that islocated inside the doorbell button unit, which is typically locatedbeside an entry door. For example, a single-button circuit 300-1 used inconventional doorbell systems is shown in FIG. 3A. The building's highvoltage AC current 302 (e.g., 110 or 120 volts) is typically provided bytwo wires 304, 306 (hot and neutral) running from a circuit breaker (notshown) to a transformer 310, which lowers the voltage, for instance to 3to 24 volts AC, with 16 volts AC being the most common. The transformer310 is typically contained within the structure of the chiming unit 308,though in older installations the transformer 310 may be locatedexternal to the chiming unit 308. The low-voltage side of thetransformer 310 is in electrical communication with two low-voltagewires, 314, 316. A first low-voltage wire 314 is connected with the bellor other sound-producing device 312. The low-voltage wires 314, 316 thenextend from the chiming unit 308, which is typically located centrallyin the home or other structure, through ceilings, interior walls, andexterior walls, until reaching the doorbell button unit 318, whichcomprises a doorbell button 320 that when pushed activates the soundproducing device 312.

Thus, while standard high-voltage house wiring 304, 306 runs to thetransformer 310, the low voltage doorbell wiring 314, 316 that runsthrough the building to the doorbell button unit 318 is typically thinwire, such as 18 gauge, which can only tolerate low voltage and lowpower. Except where otherwise specified, as used herein the term “lowvoltage wiring” means wiring not rated for use with more than 48 voltsAC. Further, conventional doorbell wiring systems 300-1 do not provide acontinuous, uninterrupted flow of electricity through the circuit,because pushing the button 320 either closes a normally open circuit oropens a normally closed circuit. Some conventional doorbell wiringsystems 300-1 provide a very small amount of electrical energysubstantially continuously to light a button light (not shown), but thisflow of electricity is considered negligible and is not suited topowering electronics. Accordingly, the electricity available atconventional doorbell button units is not suitable for powering modernelectronics, because it is both low voltage AC and not continuous.

The Present Systems May Re-Purpose Existing Conventional Doorbell Wiring

As illustrated in the example embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, in certainembodiments present systems 300-2 may be retrofitted directly in placeof existing, conventional doorbell buttons 318 and chimes 308, withoutproviding any new wiring or power sources. Example system 300-2 (whichfor clarity is presented as a conceptual sketch, not a literal wiringdiagram) avoids the problem of intermittent power availability at thedoorbell button unit 30 by providing both a wireless transmitter circuit335 and a wireless receiver circuit 360 (described in more detail inFIGS. 5 and 6, respectively) in parallel with the doorbell button unitelectronics 330. The input to the chime unit 40 connects with the sametwo high voltage wires 304, 306 as most conventional doorbell chimes308. And the output from the chime unit 40 connects with the same lowvoltage wires 314, 316 that run through the building walls, etc., wherethey connect to and power the doorbell button unit 30. The doorbellbutton unit 30 comprises various electronics 330 that require continuousuninterrupted power; essentially all the electronics other than thewireless transmitter 335 (an example of which is described in moredetail in FIG. 5) and antenna 340. When the doorbell button unit 30 isactivated, for instance by pushing button 320, wireless transmitter 335is activated and a signal is wirelessly transmitted from antenna 340 toantenna 350, which is attached with wireless receiver 360 (an example ofwhich is described in more detail in FIG. 6). When wireless receiver 360receives the wireless signal from the wireless transmitter 335, thewireless receiver 360 activates the sound-producing device 312. Atroughly the same time, and in some cases simultaneously, a signal istransmitted from antenna 340 to wireless router 50, initiating thecommunication with end user 95 as described herein with respect to FIGS.1 and 2.

Thus, in the system shown in FIG. 3B, the low voltage wires 314, 316 arerepurposed from, on one hand, electrically communicating a conventionaldoorbell signal from a conventional doorbell button unit 318 to aconventional chime unit 308, to, on the other hand, providinguninterrupted power to wireless doorbell unit 30, which communicates thedoorbell signal to the chime unit 40 wirelessly (and also communicateslots of other information via the Internet through a local WiFiconnection, as described). Accordingly, for users 95 who have a WiFinetwork 50, 60 in their home or business 20 that is connected to theInternet 70, certain embodiments of the present system 100, 300-2, canbe quickly and easily installed in place of conventional doorbellsystems 300-1 simply by replacing the conventional doorbell unit 318 andchime unit 308 with the present doorbell unit 30 and chime unit 40,without requiring additional or different power sources or wiring, orspecial tools or skills.

Methods of Use: Installing Systems Using Existing, Conventional DoorbellWiring

Turning to FIG. 7, provided is a method of use 700, which may comprise:710 providing an environment with wireless access to a network 50, 60connected to the Internet 70; 720 providing a structure 20 in thatenvironment having a conventional wired doorbell system, comprising lowvoltage wires 314, 316 running from an existing doorbell chime 308 to anexisting doorbell button unit 318; 730 replacing the existing doorbellchime 308 with a replacement doorbell chime 40 that chimes when itreceives a predetermined wireless signal from a replacement doorbellbutton unit 30 having a wireless transmitter 335, 340, the replacementdoorbell chime 40 adapted to not disrupt the flow of electricity to thereplacement doorbell button unit 30; 740 replacing the existing doorbellbutton unit 318 with a replacement doorbell button unit 30 by attachingthe replacement doorbell button unit 30 to the low voltage wires 314,316 that powered the existing doorbell button unit 318, wherein thereplacement doorbell button unit 30 comprises a wireless transmitter335, 340 that transmits the predetermined wireless signal to thereplacement doorbell chime unit 40 when the replacement doorbell buttonunit 30 is activated, the replacement doorbell button unit 30 adapted tonot disrupt the flow of electricity to the wireless transmitter 335, 340when the replacement doorbell button unit 30 is activated, and thereplacement doorbell button unit 30 further adapted to communicatewirelessly with the network 50, 60 connected to the Internet 70 when thereplacement doorbell button unit 30 is activated.

Methods of Use: Using Systems Once Installed

Regarding FIG. 8, provided is a method of use 800, which may comprise:810 providing an environment with wireless access to a network 50, 60connected to the Internet 70; 820 providing a structure 20 in thatenvironment having conventional doorbell wiring, comprising low voltagewires 314, 316 running from a doorbell chime unit 40 to a doorbellbutton unit 30; 830 wherein the doorbell chime unit 40 is adapted tochime when it receives a predetermined wireless signal from the doorbellbutton unit 30, which has a wireless transmitter 335, 340, the doorbellchime unit 40 adapted to not disrupt the flow of electricity to thedoorbell button unit 30; 840 wherein the doorbell button unit 30 isattached to and powered by the low voltage wires 314, 316 and comprisesa wireless transmitter 335, 340 that transmits the predeterminedwireless signal to the doorbell chime unit 40 when the doorbell buttonunit 30 is activated, the doorbell button unit 30 adapted to not disruptthe flow of electricity to the wireless transmitter 335, 340 when thedoorbell button unit 30 is activated, and the doorbell button unit 30further adapted to communicate wirelessly with the network 50, 60connected to the Internet 70 when the doorbell button unit 30 isactivated; 850 activating the doorbell button unit 30; 860 causing thedoorbell button unit 30 to communicate wirelessly with the network 50,60 connected to the Internet 70. Method of use 800 may further compriseany other suitable steps, such as, for example, causing the doorbellbutton unit 30 to communicate wirelessly with an end user 95, forinstance by any or all of: sending an SMS or MMS message or an email orother electronic message or audio or video file or streaming audio orvideo, to a mobile device 90 or other Internet-connected computer device75. Method of use 800 may additionally comprise causing the doorbellbutton unit 30 to communicate wirelessly with an end user 95 by any orall of: establishing one-way or two-way audio and/or videocommunications with a first person 10 located at the doorbell buttonunit 30. Many other steps are necessarily and inherently disclosedherein as the natural applications of the features taught and suggestedherein, as would be apparent to a person of skill in the art.

Any of the suitable technologies set forth and incorporated herein maybe used to implement various example aspects of the invention as wouldbe apparent to one of skill in the art. Although exemplary embodimentsand applications of the invention have been described herein includingas described above and shown in the included example Figures, there isno intention that the invention be limited to these exemplaryembodiments and applications or to the manner in which the exemplaryembodiments and applications operate or are described herein. Indeed,many variations and modifications to the exemplary embodiments arepossible as would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.The invention may include any device, structure, method, orfunctionality, as long as the resulting device, system or method fallswithin the scope of a claim allowed by the patent office.

What is claimed is:
 1. A doorbell system, comprising: a doorbell buttonunit; and a doorbell chime unit; wherein the doorbell chime unitcomprises a wireless receiver adapted to trigger a notification when thewireless receiver receives a signal from the doorbell chime unitindicating that the doorbell button unit has been activated, thedoorbell chime unit further adapted to provide low voltage power to thedoorbell button unit suitable for transmission through low voltagewiring, the chime unit further adapted to not disrupt the flow ofelectricity to the doorbell button unit during use; and wherein thedoorbell button unit comprises a wireless transmitter adapted to send asignal to the wireless receiver of the doorbell chime unit when thedoorbell button unit is activated, the doorbell button unit furtheradapted to communicate wirelessly with a network connected to theInternet when the doorbell button unit is activated, the doorbell buttonunit further adapted to be powered by the low voltage power provided bythe doorbell chime unit, the doorbell button unit further adapted to notdisrupt the flow of electricity to the wireless transmitter when thedoorbell button unit is activated.
 2. The doorbell system of claim 1,wherein the doorbell button unit is further adapted to cause at leastone of an SMS, MMS, email message, or telephone call to be sent througha cellular telephone network to a wireless mobile device when thedoorbell button unit is activated.
 3. The doorbell system of claim 2,wherein the SMS, MMS, email message, or telephone call comprises atleast one of audio, video, text, or image content caused to be providedby the doorbell button unit.
 4. The doorbell system of claim 2, whereinthe SMS, MMS, or email message comprises a link to a live streamingcommunication portal between the doorbell button unit and the wirelessmobile device.
 5. The doorbell system of claim 4, wherein the livestreaming communication portal is adapted to transmit to the wirelessmobile device at least one of audio, video, text, or images originatingfrom the doorbell button unit.
 6. The doorbell system of claim 5,wherein the live streaming communication portal is adapted to transmitto the doorbell button unit at least one of audio, video, text, orimages originating from the wireless mobile device.
 7. The doorbellsystem of claim 1, wherein the doorbell button unit is further adaptedto cause an electronic communication to be sent through the Internet toan electronic device in communication with the Internet when thedoorbell button unit is activated.
 8. The doorbell system of claim 7,wherein the electronic communication comprises at least one of audio,video, text, or image content caused to be provided by the doorbellbutton unit.
 9. The doorbell system of claim 7, wherein the electroniccommunication comprises a link to a live streaming communication portalbetween the doorbell button unit and the electronic device incommunication with the Internet.
 10. The doorbell system of claim 9,wherein the live streaming communication portal is adapted to transmitto the electronic device in communication with the Internet at least oneof audio, video, text, or images originating from the doorbell buttonunit.
 11. The doorbell system of claim 10, wherein the live streamingcommunication portal is adapted to transmit to the doorbell button unitat least one of audio, video, text, or images originating from theelectronic device in communication with the Internet.
 12. The doorbellsystem of claim 1, wherein the doorbell button unit is adapted to beactivated by sensing at least one of the following: force applied to abutton connected with the doorbell button unit; movement of an object inthe proximity of the doorbell button unit; the presence of somethingnear the doorbell button unit; sound; biometric information; the passageof a predetermined amount of time; an activation signal sent wirelesslyfrom a remote user to the doorbell button unit.
 13. The doorbell systemof claim 1, further comprising an infrared lighting system adapted foruse in low-light conditions.
 14. The doorbell system of claim 1, furthercomprising a camera having at least one of pan, tilt, or zoomfunctionality that is wirelessly controllable through the Internet by aremotely located user.
 15. A method comprising the steps of: providingan environment with wireless access to a network connected to theInternet; providing a structure in that environment having aconventional wired doorbell system, comprising low voltage wiringrunning from an existing doorbell chime unit to an existing doorbellbutton unit; replacing the existing doorbell chime unit with areplacement doorbell chime unit that chimes when it receives apredetermined wireless signal from a replacement doorbell button unithaving a wireless transmitter, the replacement doorbell chime unitadapted to not disrupt the flow of electricity to the replacementdoorbell button unit during use; and replacing the existing doorbellbutton unit with a replacement doorbell button unit by attaching thereplacement doorbell button unit to the low voltage wires that poweredthe existing doorbell button unit, wherein the replacement doorbellbutton unit comprises a wireless transmitter that transmits thepredetermined wireless signal to the replacement doorbell chime unitwhen the replacement doorbell button unit is activated, the replacementdoorbell button unit adapted to not disrupt the flow of electricity tothe wireless transmitter when the replacement doorbell button unit isactivated, and the replacement doorbell button unit further adapted tocommunicate wirelessly with the network connected to the Internet whenthe replacement doorbell button unit is activated.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising the step of: activating the replacementdoorbell button unit.
 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising thestep of: receiving through the Internet a communication from thereplacement doorbell button unit indicating that it has been activated.18. A method comprising the steps of: providing an environment withwireless access to a network connected to the Internet; providing astructure in that environment having conventional doorbell wiring,comprising low voltage wires running from a doorbell chime unit to adoorbell button unit; wherein the doorbell chime unit is adapted tochime when it receives a predetermined wireless signal from the doorbellbutton unit, which has a wireless transmitter, the doorbell chime unitadapted to not disrupt the flow of electricity to the doorbell buttonunit; wherein the doorbell button unit is attached to and powered by thelow voltage wires and comprises a wireless transmitter that transmitsthe predetermined wireless signal to the doorbell chime unit when thedoorbell button unit is activated, the doorbell button unit adapted tonot disrupt the flow of electricity to the wireless transmitter when thedoorbell button unit is activated, and the doorbell button unit furtheradapted to communicate wirelessly with the network connected to theInternet when the doorbell button unit is activated; activating thedoorbell button unit; and causing the doorbell button unit tocommunicate wirelessly with the network connected to the Internet. 19.The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of: causing thedoorbell button unit to communicate wirelessly with an end user locatedremotely from the doorbell button unit by causing the doorbell buttonunit to do at least one of the following: send an SMS message, MMSmessage, email, telephone call, or other electronic message to awireless mobile device.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprisingthe step of: causing the doorbell button unit to communicate wirelesslywith an end user located remotely from the doorbell button unit byestablishing a live communication channel through the Internet between afirst person located at the doorbell button unit and the remotelylocated end user.